RAD Classes to Begin Oct. 1

September 26, 2013

MACOMB, IL – To better prepare Western Illinois University and Macomb area female community members in defending themselves against potential assaults, WIU's Office of Public Safety (OPS) will offer the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) course beginning Tuesday, Oct 1.

The courses, which will run from 6-9 p.m., will be held Tuesdays, Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22 in the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center on the WIU campus. The class is designed for women only, said OPS Cpl. Kerrie Bishop. Topics covered include avoiding victimization, patterns of date rape encounter, basic principles of defense, full-speed hands-on exercise and dynamic simulation training.

"This was an empowering experience," a RAD graduate said. "Women need to know how to defend themselves and this course does that."

Cost of the 12-hour course, which is taught by RAD-certified police officers Jerry Allen, Kerrie Bishop, Nate Garlick, Jerel Jones, Derek Watts and Sarah Worthington, is $20 per person, which includes a RAD manual. Lifetime re-training is free. Previous participants are welcome to attend the courses at no cost. Due to limited class size (15 per class), pre-registration is required. While WIU female students will be given first priority to enroll, females from the region are encouraged to participate. Students may charge the $20 to their University accounts.

The RAD courses are sponsored by Western's Office of Public Safety, Office of Student Judicial Programs, Campus Recreation and the Women's Center. For more information or to register, visit the Office of Public Safety (Mowbray Hall) or contact Bishop at (309) 298-1949.